Sixty-six minutes pass into a game and you’re down 3-0 at home.
There were no quitters on that field last night in yellow.
Similar to Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League Final, Columbus made up a 3-0 deficit.
But even goal number one, two, and three in Liverpool’s comeback in 2005 arrived before Columbus’s first in the 67th minute last night.
I felt like last night’s contest symbolically, from beginning to end, could be linked inextricably to the #SaveTheCrew effort.
The first 67 minutes are us in a nutshell.
There is usually little to no hope when a rich owner decides it is time to pack up and leave a town.
Ask the Cleveland Browns, Seattle Supersonics, and Oakland Raiders.
Similarly, there is little to no hope when your down 3-0 in soccer with 25 minutes left.
But Columbus never quits.
Fans started #SaveTheCrew.
Those fans have pro golfers wearing #SaveTheCrew hats.
Those fans invaded the College Gameday crowd.
They’ll try anything until the right person notices, listens.
Apparently Gregg Berhalter will try anything as well.
In the 63rd minute,he subbed in Eduardo Sosa for his first MLS regular season minutes, Alex Crognale for his second time for more than a few minutes at the end of a game, and Luis Argudo.
3-0 down turned into a 3-3 final.
Eduardo Sosa played phenomenally well I thought. His performance was getting the opportunities presented to him and capitalizing.
Alex Crognale additionally says “hey don’t forget about me” and grabbed the second goal.
“It means a ton. I’ve been coming to this stadium for years, and to come and play in front of these fans every weekend is a blessing. All my family was here, so I’m just so proud to put on this jersey. That goal was for my family.”
Eduardo Sosa on the three-goal comeback:
“No, I’ve never been part of a game like this. It was pretty much a whole lot of offense at the end there and I’ve never been a part of something like that.”
Michael Bradley had a two minute diatribe about our atmosphere being way behind everyone else last year. Oddly it was after a sold out game in Columbus during the playoffs against Toronto.
Not sure why he felt that was necessary? Or how us being so far behind could be considered true if you look around the rest of MLS?
Especially if you checked out a playoff game at Chicago, New York Red Bull, or Houston last year.
In addition, Revolution, Union, Dynamo, Dallas, Minnesota games couldn’t be confused with being at Borussia Dortmund or something? And last time I checked those teams didn’t have an owner putting over $2 million dollars into marketing another team that doesn’t exist this year.
So yeah were getting closer to being there this 2018 season but hey thanks Michael Bradley for helping peak the atmosphere so far this year.
Karma is a bitch, huh Michael Bradley? Big thumbs up for keeping our undefeated streak going and for helping turn three points into one for your beloved Toronto before seven out of nine games on the road. Real American hero. #Crew96 #SaveTheCrew pic.twitter.com/5YPlek6Zap
— CREWTURE.NET (@crewture) June 3, 2018
Bradley was responsible for all three goals last night.
And the fans were truly right there with the team, willing on the team until the end.
As even a 60% packed Mapfre can bring it if there in it. No atmosphere? Okay, if you say so. ? I’ve seen less passionate crowds at completely sold out MLS games.
After our first goal, we were dominating so thoroughly that I had oddly little doubt we would come back and get something from this game.
Sometimes you just know. We have to feel the same way about our eventual success on keeping our team here.
Toronto FC
Columbus Crew
